GARDAI had to break down the door of a fire bombed house to rescue three children at the weekend. Limerick gardai are investigating the fire bombing of neighbouring houses in the city early yesterday.
The fires broke out at around 2.40 a.m. when petrol bombs were thrown through the front windows of the houses at Quin's Cottages, Rosbrien.
Three young children who were asleep at one of the houses at the time were named as David Foran (14) and his sisters, Sarah (8) and Tanya (5).
Two children were rescued by Garda Padraic Molloy and Garda Pat O'Callaghan after they broke down the front door. The third child was brought out by firemen.
The house had only one exit, which was blocked off by flames, but the rescuers managed to take the children to safety.
The children and the gardai who rescued them were taken to Limerick Regional Hospital, where they were treated for smoke inhalation. The children were said to be in no danger and the gardai were not detained.
A second fire bomb was, thrown into the house next door through a window. The occupants, however, were awake and managed to throw the device back out the window.
The two families are new to the area. The house from which the children were rescued is rented and the second house was bought in recent weeks. Limerick fire brigade extinguished the fire in the front room of the Foran's home but there was smoke damage to both houses.
Gardai are trying to establish a motive for the attack. There had been a number of such incidents in the city in recent weeks. Forensic experts examined the scene for clues.
Meanwhile, gardai are continuing the investigation into the fatal shooting of John Keane, O'Malley Park, Southill, over a week ago. Mr Keane received a single gunshot wound to the upper body and had head and facial injuries consistent with a struggle having taken place.
The attack took place outside the victim's home and two men are being sought for questioning.